FaerieCon m.a.g.i.c – I is for inspiration

November 11, 2011Leave a comment

INSPIRATION

a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

: the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs

a : the quality or state of being inspired b : something that is inspired

: an inspiring agent or influence

Well – FaerieCon to me seems to be all of the above! While this may seem obvious…When you attend any event and have the opportunity to meet artists and authors whose work you are familiar with, work you admire, of course it is inspirational. There can be moments of star-struck tongue tied amazement, when you meet someone who has influenced your work, your outlook on life… (I had never dreamed I would meet and chat with Brian and Wendy Froud years ago as I showed “Labyrinth” to my 6th grade art students. Like in the early 90’s… a while ago! And some of those same students have now met the Frouds as well, with yet another generation in tow. Oh heavens!) At my first FaerieCon I was struck with the openness and generosity of the VIP’s – they were so accessible and giving of their time and energy. That continues to this day and it creates an atmosphere that is charged with energy. Where the air drawn into your lungs IS inspiration, coming from the community of like minded highly creative people gathered for fun, frolic, music, and mayhem.

This is an atmosphere ripe with cross pollination. There is a print of Linda Ravenscroft’s called “Daughter of Avalon” inspired by the song “Rose Red” by Woodland.

Gorgeous in its own right, and more magical when you know the song… I have a tile design for a Gyspy vardo that is buzzing around my head, anxious to emerge in clay – inspired by “Caravan” by Frenchy and the Punk of course. Perhaps in time for next year? Inspirational conversations spark up at any moment; a chat with Noelle and Stephanie about sculpture materials has me pondering sculpting skulls and bones. (And to Stephanie – the acorn! Many thanks. I will create a piece that does it justice…)

I am very fortunate to have met and developed friendships with amazing artists and creative people, growing from an initial encounter at FaerieCon. Last year I struck up a conversation with Helena Nelson-Reed, whose work I had been drawn to for years. Her ethereal yet detailed watercolors are so rich with hidden images and symbols, they are dreamworlds in which I could lose myself. Mystical and spiritual, they continue to reveal hidden images and meaning to me over time. There is so much soul and passion inherent in her work; I was honored to meet her and thrilled to continue our friendship over social media. Through Helena I also met Antony Galbraith, a mythic painter and sculptor. His work is intense, powerful – images from myth and archetype. So often you meet new friends and talk long into the night swapping personal histories. sharing experiences. With Helena and Antony we have a friendship based on artwork, recognizing themes and beliefs each in the other, meeting on common ground through myth and metaphor. We were able to sit down Sunday morning to talk about the challenges one faces as a proffesional working artist, the long hours, the demands of family incroaching on studio time, the solitude. It is so valuable to have like minded souls in one’s life, and I am thankful to them for their sharing, their camraderie, and their friendship. We were joined by Charles Vess, and chatted companionably about art spaces, art retreats, collaborative works… and tricksters! Truly the most inspirational coffee and slice of lemon cake I have ever had!

And the authors! This year’s FaerieCon hosted the talents of: Carolyn Turgeon, Charles deLint, Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman and Melissa Marr, among others.

“Dreams Underfoot” was the first Charles deLint book I ever read. The cover states – “Myth, music, and magic, and dreams underfoot…This is a book that you will never forget.” So true! (And cover art be Terri Windling! Fairy goddess-mother of the mythic arts, she is often called.) I have been avidly reading anything that deLint writes since then. This book is a collection of short stories set in the town of Newford, where magic and myth are woven into the lives and histories of contemporary characters. Modern day, urban fantasy. So fantastical and magical, yet so real – a place I would love to live. To those of you that know Newford – my dream would be to show in a group exhibit with Jilly! His work is a visual feast to me, and a source of inspiration.

As is the work of Carolyn Turgeon. A friend gave me “Godmother” which I loved, then “Mermaid” which is incredible… a completely new enchanting vision of the Little Mermaid’s tale. Prince, mermaid, princess – a triangle of complex relationships with depth and grace. I look forward to her upcoming middle grade book “Under the Moon” about a girl who discovers her mother was a swan maiden. And regardless of any bookstore classifications – I will read them all! She crafts a well written, thoughtful enchanting tale – I recommend them!

After I read “Mermaid” I was in the studio creating siren themed jewelry. I wonder what the next book will inspire?!

I could go on. FaerieCon in a unique place, away from home, where one feels completely at home. Where the novice and the mentor can talk, where mediums influence and inspire each other, where like minded people share ideas and magic. It feeds my soul. Thank you one and all.

Share the love…donations and a give away!

October 10, 201123 Comments

I believe in sharing the love, in supporting causes I am committed to, and to helping out where I can. I dont have pockets lined with gold, and often my ‘help’ is a donation of artwork. This past week on Friday I had a chance to donate to two organizations/causes that I support wholeheartedly.

The first is the DCCA – The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts. It is an amazing exhibit space, and houses many local artists studios. They are committed to supporting the arts and upcoming artists. I have friends who work, and exhibit there. Every year they have a fundraiser auction: “Small Art/Big Auction. Donated works are small in scale; this year the size requirement was 12” square. Want a peek? I decided with the advice of my friend Sara T. to think outside the box…

DCCA necklace

“Siren’s Song” – starfish in mother of pearl with resin, river rock, carved netsuke, pearls, aquamarine, sterling, kyanite. I think it will definitely get attention and be a great conversation piece. The auction is October 29th, you can se the details here…

Then I headed over to Playtime Doggy Daycare. After a few chats with the staff regarding their fundraising efforts – which included home made baked dog treats… I decided to make a necklace, or two. They are going to hold a raffle for a local dog rescue. I wish I could give money to all the dog rescues, and homes to a hundred adorable strays. But we have our hands full with our two rescued dogs:

Oscar

Oscar – (Canaan Dog) aka Cutest dog ever, Noodle, Oscar Moo-Moo (Thats from Playtime!)

Zoey

Zoey (Belgain Malinois) aka Crazy. (Her one and only true nickmane)

So my donation, you ask? I couldn’t decide – so I made two:

dog donations

The first is a vintage stamp advocating humane treatment. I do not know the date, but it was a $.05 value. It is collaged in a copper bezel under resin and paired with citrine and carnelian. The second is hand stamped copper, and enamel on copper. Both are 18″ long on copper chain. If you are interested – you can buy tickets to win, and donate to a worthy cause… just contact Playtime Doggy Daycare!

So in the spirit of giving – let me get to the details of the give away! I am doing a new style of necklace, focusing on words. Your inspiration, your word of power, your mantra. And I want your ideas… I will give away 2 necklaces in this style: (copper ball chain, 18″, 1 gemstone dangle, stamped word in copper.)

dog tag words

What do you have to do? Leave a comment here with your name and your word/short phrase. OR leave a comment on my Facebook “The Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor” business page. I will pull the winners the morning of Friday the 14th. Check back Friday to see if you are the winner! Why Friday, you ask? Because that is my air date on HGTV’s “That’s Clever“!!! I will select 1 random winner, and one winner whose word I really like. Yup. My contest. My rules. (With FaerieCon coming up I am looking for words/phrases that are particularly magical, fantasy…but that is NOT a requirement.) Excelelnt. See you Friday!

Reclaim. Reincarnate. Recycle.

June 27, 2011Leave a comment

Britannica 1

Britannica 2

When we were growing up we had an Encyclopedia Britannica. It wasn’t always the best reference then – as it was from 1949! Some things were accurate, others not – but it was a starting point for my siblings and I as we researched our term papers… taking notes longhand, in the old fashioned days before the Internets arrived. (We did not however, have to walk two miles to school, uphill both ways. We aren’t that old.) The set had been my mother’s, and came to us from her. It is a classic – leather bound spines, the delightful thin paper that whispers as you turn the pages… Fantastic diagrams and illustrations, in black and white – naturally!

Britannica 3

Britannica 4

The entire set had been languishing in my parent’s garage. Not the best environment for books – but many people would have let go of the set by now – some thirty years after it was last used. Not us – we are a family of keepers. You never know when you might need that ________later! And I have now decided I need that set of encyclopedias. ( If you are squeamish at the talk of dissection and destruction of books, don’t read on…) This set – it is a treasure trove. I can select pages and diagrams to use in collage for their content. I have volumes of pages to use as text alone; when the subject matter is not inspirational or pertinent to the piece.

Britannica 5

I keep finding flowers I pressed years and years ago. Was this special? Or simply the budding artist inspired by the natural world surrounding her? ( Pun intended.)

Britannica 6

That little boy cracked me up. Featured on the “Art Education” page of all ironies. Is he concentrating or just plain grumpy?

I have torn the first pages out. I am working on a fundraiser for my town of Newark. More to come soon. On other topics – the first session of clay camp has ended. Much teacher work to do to finish up from session one and prepare for session two. Thats on next week’s agenda. For now – it is off to St. Peters Art Show in Lewes DE. Will I see you there? Regardless – have a great holiday weekend!

Shadows and Light

February 2, 20113 Comments

February 2.

Groundhog’s Day. Candlemas. Imbolc.

Its all over the news. Respectable looking, white bearded men, dressed in coats and top hats, perform a ritual involving a groundhog – named Phil – and weather divination. We have seen it all before… But did you ever stop to wonder?

Wikipedia offers us this: The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog. It also bears similarities to the Pagan festival of Imbolc, the seasonal turning point of the Celtic calendar, which is celebrated on February 1 and also involves weather prognostication.

Apparently Groundhog lodges abound in southeastern PA; who knew. We have Harold Ramis and Bill Murray to thank for making Punxsatawney so famous…And sadly, badgers arent living in the hedgerow over here. (Do badgers live in the hedgerow?) So the groundhog seems a better selection than a bear (!); easier to keep, and handle…

Seriously – back to the lore –

From Scotland:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

And going more into myth – we get closer to the origins – in my opinion…

“Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over”… That sound familiar, doesnt it… (Thanks again, Wikipedia.)

Putting aside the weather lore for a moment – Imbolc/Candlemas is halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. We ( and my Celtic far distant ancestors) have to this point gone through a cold harsh winter. It is wonderful to mark time, that winter is half complete, that spring is near. Whether we have snowdrops blooming through a thin crust of snow, or piles left behind by the plow – the light is increasing; Spring is near.

snowdrops

Imbolc is associated with the Celtic Goddess and Saint Brigid. (I find it very interesting how the ancient goddess of the creative fire evolved into a saint and abbess tending a perpetual flame at her monastery…) And I think I will have to save her for another post. She is deeply inspirational to me, and I would like to give her her due.

So from the shadows – to the light…

Wishing you a bright Imbolc.

Articles of interest:

Article: “St Brigid; no better woman for the times we live in”. The Irish Times.

Blog: “Beyond the fields we know.” Gorgeous photography, and a thoughtful in depth article in Brigid from the artist C. Kerr

A to Z: background

January 28, 20112 Comments

( Sorry. I was sick last Friday. So this is the first of two “B” entries. I will catch up soon – since I have so many letters and only so many weeks…)

a : the conditions that form the setting within which something is experienced b (1) : the circumstances or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development (2) : information essential to understanding of a problem or situation c : the total of a person’s experience, knowledge, and education.

When I made the original list, ‘Background’ wasnt on it. But it has been on my mind of late. How did I get here? How am I a sum of all my experiences? How has my work has evolved over time? How have friends and colleagues of mine enter the creative life – early or late? How did a particular artist get to where they are now? What is their background, experience, training? Where did they start? When did they discover their path? Hard work? Knowing the right people? Vagaries of fate?

(One element of my musings delves in to craft vs art. Artist vs craftsperson. Art training or self taught? For now, that is something I am keeping to myself. Its a treacherous topic at times. I am not Pandora to open that particular box today. )

But to honor this curiosity – to look back on the road I have traveled… I thought I would revisit parts of my background.

I was making and drawing quite a lot – as I remember it – as a child. I was encouraged, moderately. I never had lessons of any type, but my family was receptive and encouraging. I had quite a bit of freedom to explore in High school. Painting, enameling, ceramics… and the freedom to work independently. While that thrilled me no end – my interest and creative drive that earned me the freedom, at times it meant that I was missing out on the fundamentals. I wasn’t honing my drawing skills in still life compositions, I wasn’t finessing my paint handling abilities. And while that may have been a bit of a detriment as I entered my freshman year as an Art major at Skidmore – I had chosen a Liberal Arts college to nurture the Renaissance woman in me. Strong in the visual arts, but not to the exclusion of literature, history, mythology and the like. I could make up for lost time.

college pntg

I thrived in the art building, my second home. I was an art geek, working long hours, switching from one studio to the next to complete work. I had the foundation classes in design, drawing and painting. I designed and printed textiles, I threw pots and sculpted, I wove tapestries, I fabricated and cast jewelry in metal. I studied in London; painting and photography. I sampled Classics, mythology, women’s studies, I devoured Art history tomes, and nibbled on poems. (Can I admit this was the era before the Internet? That puts it in perspective, huh? ) How wonderful to live and breathe, and sleep and eat art and Art History?!

My Senior show – the culmination of my learning and experience… my best artistic offerings to date – Paintings, a suite of photos, and Celtic inspired pieces, brooches and a bracelet. Very much influenced by my time in England, but that is another post!

Celtic brooch 1 Celtic brooch 2

I dont paint much anymore. For years I thought it was my medium. I was teaching Art full time, and not doing much of my own work…

Pomegranate series

I applied to Grad school. And I was rejected – twice. The Universe tried to make it clear, very clear, that oil paint wasnt my chosen medium. The rejection from the painting program at MICA led me to the Ceramics studio. And in a summer of throwing, sculpting, glazing, and firing – my first shrine came to be.

Early ceramic shrine

( Not technically the first, but an early ceramic shrine from the MICA years…)

Thank you rejection. I am very happy working in mixed media – with all the materials I could ever think to incorporate. I no longer need turpentine, and linseed oil, and brush cleaner, and canvas stretcher bars. I am glad you led me to this place.

I am proud of my experiences and my accomplishments. I am thankful that I recognized my creative self in my youth, and that it was recognized in me by others. Recognized, nurtured, pursued… I value my college study immensely. I have a strong foundation, an informed perspective, a wealth of experience. I have been creating, making art, studying art my entire life. I respect the artists who come to art later – switching careers, finding a new path, and embarking on it as an adult. But it is a very different place to be, to speak from, to create from – when you have been seeing, thinking, studying, doing… for your whole adult life. This creative path, a creative self isnt who or what I have come to be. It is where I have always been.

A to Z: addicted

January 15, 2011Leave a comment

1: to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively

: to cause addiction to a substance in (a person or animal)

From the Latin addictus, past participle of addicere to favor, fromad- + dicere to say. First Known Use: 1534

When I sat down to compile my list of alphabet words, artistic was one of the first written. But as I perused the Dictionary – I felt drawn to this one. Addicted. In reading the official definition ( Thanks again, M-W.) I had to pause. In that context, I am addicted to art. I have devoted myself to it habitually since a child, and obsessively as an art student, a teacher, and now a working artist. It is my love, my passion. But on to the planned blog entry – tongue firmly planted in cheek.

I am addicted to beads.

I can’t go to a bead store and leave without purchasing something. I have had beads, used beads, and collected beads as long as I can remember. A favorite toy as a young one was a strand of plastic “pop” beads. I made and sold beaded earrings as a teenager in High school. I studied metal smithing in college (not so many beads there, though) I make beaded things, and in the past year have been making ceramic pendants. Not really beads themselves, but a companion to beads. I love semi-precious gemstones the best. Glass is good, shell/bone/horn beads are ok…Plastic is a bad word. I have a plethora of beads. I worked at a bead store in San Diego and grew to love tiny seed beads; learned how to use a bead needle and weave a few moderately complicated stitches. Vintage and antique seed beads are even better! My studio is filled with beads.

Bead storage is a very exciting prospect to this Virgo!

(Lampwork: Molten Mama; ceramic charms: yours truly)

I am addicted to books.

While I can enter and exit a book store without feeling compelled… Our house is full of books. There are books in every room of the house. There are books on beads, on art, on ceramics, on myth. There are fictions, and biographies, and how-to books, fantasies and classics. There are rare books, and dog-eared books, and children’s books, and great books and mediocre books. There are comics and graphic novels, books on making books, and lately – e-books! There are artfully arranged books as decor, and there are books stacked willy-nilly by a favorite chair… And as we know from previous posts there are books waiting to be read!

Yes, I devote and/or surrender myself to beads/books habitually. Happy to!

What is your favorite (healthy) addiction? What are you obsessed with lately? Hey – if it makes you happy, and isnt hurting anyone (including you!)

then I say – Enjoy!

Speaking of which – have to go refill my cuppa joy… I mean cuppa joe… 😉

* Please note – I say all this in good humor. I do not poke fun at or belittle problems that occur with real addiction. It is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. I sincerely hope this post is read in the context it was intended, and no offense is taken. *

Fresh start…

January 4, 20113 Comments

Resolutions. To do or not to do… Merriam Webster gives this:

: the act or process of resolving: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : solving c : the act of determining

as well as the more traditional New Years application:

a : something that is resolved <made a resolution to mend my ways> b : firmness of resolve

Making a resolution on New Years simply because it is New Years – well, that has no strength behind it, no intention. Hate to break it to you, but that is one resolution that will fail. I like to get a fresh start. Evaluate the old year, and welcome in the new. Clean slate. Clean workspace. Alyson Stanfield encourages her clients and readers to journal their accomplishments, taking time to reflect and appreciate the results of their labors. I scheduled coffee and journal time yesterday for exactly that!

Finished my refelections in the last sketchbook, and started the new, with images, quotes, all matter of inspiration. And goals. This fresh start of a year – planning, scheduling in major shows, exhibits… There is always some carry over of projects that have not yet come to be, transfered from the old journal to the new, moved up on the waiting list of creative endeavors. I find it very informative and interesting to look back on a year’s sketchbook entries, doodles, ideas, jagged scraps of thought that have yet to grow into a full piece of art. And there was coffee, and sleeping dogs, and sun streaming inthe window… Yes!

One of my goals for the year – is to catch up a bit on my reading. There are books from last Christmas, this Christmas, and all points in between. Can one ever have too many books? I think not – but they are to be read, and savored; not piled on shelves. I even make notes in margins – scandalous to some purists, I know, but it is MY book…

Fresh from under the tree: “The Runes of Elfland”by Ari Berk and Brian Froud; and the re-release anniversary edition of “Faeries” by Froud and Alan Lee. These are to be savored. My original copy of Faeries in paperback, very dog-eared is years old. I have had the good fortune to meet and chat with both these men, and they continue to be an inspiration to my life and work.

Two anthologies: Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman and “My mother she killed me, my father he ate me” compiled by Kate Bernheimer. The latter – book club selection at Surlalune Fairy Tales. That will be an interesting discussion!

Fiction offerings:

A.S.Byatt – “The Children’s Book”

David Bajo – “The 351 Books of Irma Acuri”

Paolo Coehlo – “Witch of Portobello”

Bill Willingham – “Peter and Max”

David Mitchell – “Cloud Atlas”

The Celtic resource books… ( Note the coffee splatter on the top book. Thanks Zoey!)

And the last pile of mythic/folklore/essays, etc. There may be a series of ceramic tree tiles awaiting me in the pages of that one book…

Where do I begin? Started “Peter and Max” last night. It is a “Fables” book, set in the contemporary fantasy universe I have grown to love in the graphic novels. Excellent so far. Perhaps the Norse mythology. There are some goddesses I want to read up on – inspiration for new collage works for a show in March.

Art Bliss continued…

October 1, 20106 Comments

So where was I? I had met and greeted, I enameled… Ooh the leaf charm swap… must take pictures of my treasures… The Trunk show was fun, sold a few ceramic components. My thanks to all my fellow Art Bliss-ers who stoped by! But it was a late night, and I wanted to be ready to roll on Sunday morning… (pun intended)

Forest Floor locket: in theory we were rolling textures onto copper via the rolling mill, shaping them into puffed rounded forms with a hydraulic press and using cold connections to create a locket.

Forest Floor 2

Forest Floor

As usual Melissa was a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration. I fell in love with the rounded sculptural form of the metal after it was formed in the press. And since I don’t have nor do I foresee getting a press – I made extra pieces. Each piece I formed, sparked a new idea. Windows cut away to hint at treasures inside, reversed forms filled with resin… So I have a few in progress:

Forest floor in progress

These two will have copper backs, and open in some fashion like lockets. I am thinking collage + resin inside…

Puffed forms

These pieces are awaiting inspiration. It is just nice to look at them and ponder the possibilities, at times. Let me show you the details; I am in love with patinad (sp?) copper now!

Detail1 Detail2

The leaf detail if truly incredible!

So overall – Art Bliss was ….blissful. I know, you saw that one coming. But it was! Great location: the hotel had nothing nearby, so we were uninterrupted in our creative bubble all weekend. Food was brought in; coffee was brewed 24/7. It was just the focus on creating, networking, sharing…very much fun all around. I cant wait til next year!

My only complaint: The crash. I rode my personal wave of euphoria and inspiration and excitement home and into Monday. Tuesday was all about reality and chores, and time NOT spent in the studio. Geez – if thats the only negative…. I have pretties to look at, and take me back when I do get into the studio… And my new tiny steel letter stamps have arrived. Later!

Art Bliss in DC

September 29, 20101 Comment

Do you know that feeling when you have experienced something fabulous and you want to share, yet at the same time you want to hold the magic in, keep it close and personal and precious?

I am ready to share… Art Bliss thoughts and ideas from this past weekend. There are a plethora of art retreats all over the country. I have never attended one. I am spoiled in that I take workshops and work with infinitely talented artists – at the Shepherdess in San Diego, my second home… And while that becomes a retreat in and of itself – a seperation from the daily grind, chores, etc…I used to work there, and I relish the behind the scenes perspective I have returning there. And Cooky, the owner is one of my best friends…

The event, the first East coast, Mid Atlantic art retreat; was organized by the multitalented Cindy Wimmer and Jeannette Blix Ryan. Held in a hotel near Dulles airport, all our needs had been tended to by our thoughtful hostesses. Meals catered, classrooms equipped…Time to get to work learning, creating, sharing…

So I departed, with the intention to arrive in Dulles before DC rush hour had fried my brain. Used to live there; know what it is like. Friday night Meet and Greet: wine and nosh, artist instructors and their work, reuniting friends eagerly anticipating the weekend of creativity and inspiration. I was a little adrift, as my friend Jen had to cancel…and I didnt want to monopolize the artist/instructors and come across as a crazy stalker student. ( If you have ever done a retreat or a class, you know exacty what I mean…) Pleasure to meet Melissa Manley, Deryn Mentock, Lesley Venable and her OOAK husband, chief executive cookie baker husband Tom. (Didnt get to meet Kerry Bogert. Oops)

Saturday – “Hard Candy” enameled beads created from copper, glass, fire… taught by Melissa Manley using tools I already have! Oh I love an applicable skill that doesnt require $$$$ new tools! Just point me in the right direction, and sparks will fly: Hard Candy domes The first attempts. And the finished pieces, including a few extra components…

Hard Candy

Saturday was a crazy day: dinner, evening class (more on that in a minute) and Trunk Show: There were quite a few of my fellow students opening their doors as well, to display their wares. I wish I could have gotten out to see everyone!

Stay tuned for Part 2 Art Bliss DC…..

Same Bat-time! Same Bat-channel! Until tomorrow…

Jenny Davies-Reazor

artist, teacher

Tag: inspiration